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THQ Taps Crytek for Homefront Sequel

Near-future FPS now in the hands of one of gaming's most respected studios.

THQ reignited our interest in its Homefront franchise this morning when it announced that the next game in the FPS series will be developed by the German studio behind Far Cry and Crysis, Crytek.

Homefront set the record for the highest pre-order sales at THQ, and though the debut IP went on to sell more than 1 million copies after its March release, it was met with a lukewarm reception from critics. We gave the game two stars in our review and Homefront earned an aggregate 70 score on Metacritic.

However, THQ promised Homefront would live on -- even after the publisher shut down Kaos Studios, the developer that made the game, in June. When Kaos was shuttered, THQ said that Homefront was being moved to its recently opened Montreal studio, but now those plans have been scrapped as well, and Homefront's new home is with Crytek.

"Selecting Crytek to take Homefront forward underscores our strategy of working with the industry's best talent," THQ's Danny Bilson said in a statement. "Homefront's unique setting and storyline captivated gamers the world over. With Crytek's industry leading technology and legendary experience in the FPS genre, we're supremely confident that the next Homefront will deliver that AAA-quality experience that players demand."

"We see Homefront as a really strong universe that has a lot of potential and that has been expertly created and marketed by THQ," said Cevat Yerli, founder, CEO and President of Crytek. "We believe that bringing our level of quality, creativity and production values to the next Homefront title creates an opportunity for both THQ and Crytek to deliver a truly blockbuster game. It's really important to us that THQ has the faith in giving us a lot of creative freedom over one of its most important properties to allow us to bring the Homefront world to life in a new and innovative way."

No details about the yet-to-be-named sequel were announced, but THQ did say the game is scheduled for release sometime in fiscal 2014 for consoles and PC.

Spy Guy says: THQ has been struggling the past couple years, but you've got to love the talent it has brought on board in that time to make its next wave of games in 2012 and beyond: Ninja Gaiden creator Tomonobu Itagaki (Devil's Third), Assassin's Creed lead designer Patrice Desilets (unknown title), Hellboy director Guillermo del Toro (Insane), Turtle Rock, the studio that partnered with Valve on Left 4 Dead (unknown shooter), and now Crytek. Add Relic Games to the mix, and you've got a stable full of stud developers.